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So, it's my fourth day on Atripla and I'm not feeling that different besides just morning dizziness. It tends to go away around 11.00. I haven't had any nausea or insomnia. There's a certain lack of vivid, intense dreams. I am still dreaming but they aren't that different from dreams I normally have. (Although I did have a very macabre dream last night, which I can barely remember).

All in all, I feel normal.

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“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

I think the dreams thing is overblown. I probably have a vivid dream once a month. Some were cool, like the time I dreamed that the world was run by monkeys wearing suits. Othertimes they have sucked like when I dreamed I had throat cancer. Fortunately they dont happen all too often, but when they do, trust me Dan you will remember them.

I took chantix a few years ago to quit smoking, that caused weird dreams every night, it was horrible. The Atripla is no where as bad as that was.

Yeah same here just took my 8th pill and really no side effects except I'm riding in a car right now and starting to feel a little dizzy. No rash no crazy dreams so everything so far is good to go. Good luck A team!!!

I had a dream last night, not sure if it was Atripla induced or not, but I was drinking the best beer I've ever drank... now that I'm awake, I'm so disappointed because I can't remember what beer it was that I was drinking and I'm not even sure that it exists! LOL

BTW, can anyone share their experience on when they started to drink again after going on meds?

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“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

BTW, can anyone share their experience on when they started to drink again after going on meds?

I never stopped to be honest - the only thing I changed was that I don't drink mixed drinks anymore (Bacardi Gold and Coke was my favorite). But, I kept drinking my Coronas right when I started and still drink them - although, I usually only drink a couple of days a week (usually on the weekends).

BTW, Phil, how close to taking your pill do you usually drink? Is it the regular 1-2 hours? And how soon afterwards?

I could lie and say the regular 1-2 hours, but, I have actually taken the pill with a beer to wash it down. Not saying that everyone could or should do this - but it has never had an adverse effect on me. My ex used to get upset when he would see more do it --- of course, he is one of these people who thinks that if he doesn't drink for at least 3 days before his labs and eats healthy a few days before them then they will come out better and then immediately after getting them he goes back to his normal routine of drinking and eating. I just do what I do --- I don't try to "clean" up just for the sake of my lab test. I figure if what I am doing is going to have a negative impact on my labs - then best to do it right up to the day of the labs that way I can see if it is causing harm and adjust appropriately. I have even went in for labs the day after some heavy partying and actually had good labs. As Ann always says - everything in moderation - including moderation.

Best you can do is try it --- the drinking beer right before or after and see how it goes - or don't try it. I wouldn't want anyone to think that because it works for me - it will work for them.

The main worry about drinking while on hiv meds is simply forgetting to take your meds. If you're taking them at bedtime or need to take them sometime during or immediately after your drinking session it can be easy to forget. My advice? Use a daily, weekly or monthly pill container so you can see if you've missed any doses.

And like Phil says I say, "all things in moderation, including moderation". It just is, ok?

Oh, and I keep forgetting to shift this thread over to the Treatment forum, where it belongs with the other Atripla threads.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I stopped drinking when I started the meds, but that just lasted a week. This past weekend we had a softball playoff tournament and teammates brought beer both days, so I indulged with no effect after the games. Well, I did get the infamous Atripla rash over the weekend, but I doubt that had anything to do with downing a few beers. The rash is almost gone and I expect I'll continue to indulge on the weekends - my doc and pharmacist were not concerned about the drinking having any impact other than concern that I'd forget to take the pill. They seemed more concerned with me avoiding fatty foods before the dose since that seems to increase the absorption rate.

Well I'm not the beer drinker although occasionally I may have a budlight. I prefer to drink red wine and haven't drank a glass since I got diagnosed last June 14th. Now that I'm taking meds I'm not sure what to do. My doc just told me to avoid grapefruit juice at all cost! I never drank that anyways. But I want my glass of occasional red wine with my meals again.

To all the veterans I'm thinking it is ok to one glass of red wine occasionally correct? Red wine is supposed to be good for the stomach.

To all the veterans I'm thinking it is ok to one glass of red wine occasionally correct? Red wine is supposed to be good for the stomach.

I think I qualify as a veteran in regards to taking Atripla - I have been on it coming up on two years - I also know a pretty good number of people on it and and none of them have had any issues in regards to drinking alcohol (wine, mixed drinks, or beer). I'm not a wine drinker - but only because the sulfites in it give me an instant headache (and that was pre-HIV). A glass of red wine every now and then should cause no problems for you as long as you are adherent to your dosing schedule; don't have any other medical issues going on that dictate you avoid alcohol; and your CD4s are in check. I probably wouldn't recommend drinking if cd4s were on the low end or if one had a substantial viral load (but that is more a personal opinion rather than anything that I am backing up with any type of research).

^^thanks Phil. My viral load was 59k and CD4 count 333 when I I got blood work done June 25th. I started viraday ( generic atripla) July 29 of last month. Less than 2 weeks!

So perhaps an occasional glass of wine won't do any harm.

You should see a nice drop in your VL on next labs -- it might take a little longer for the cd4s to go up but they will.

Enjoy the glass of wine --- have to make sure you make life enjoyable - and if a glass of wine is going to do that - then there is nothing wrong with that --- a positive attitude and frame of mind goes a long way.

Dan...I have been taking Atripla since 2009. It did give me a face rash at the beginning but it did go away. It is a great pill, just once a day is pretty much a blessing to most. I still get some vivid dreams at times (if I have a heavy meal right before) but I can say that I enjoy them. Do not think about tomorrow, if your Doctor recommended you to take it, then do it. Hopefully the generic version (which is already available in Canada) will be here shortly and it will not be as expensive to get. Stay on top on how you will get it. the Patient Assistance Program needs to be renewed, but it is a great program, though it is only available for short periods of time.

I did buy at one time the generic version for $289.00 for the 30 day supply...beats the $ 1,500 price tag in the US. I did some research and got the one from a highly reputable producer (based in India) but regulated by Canada.

I was reading this thread tonight. I was wondering how's Danmo, Minipoz and whoever were taking the pills doing right now? Are you guys doing okay? Any side effects since you started..it would be 20+ pills for you guys. It would be helpful to know.. Any updates...?

I was reading this thread tonight. I was wondering how's Danmo, Minipoz and whoever were taking the pills doing right now? Are you guys doing okay? Any side effects since you started..it would be 20+ pills for you guys. It would be helpful to know.. Any updates...?

Hey! I'm doing well. I took my 22nd pill tonight. I haven't been having any serious side-effects. Over the past week I've been noticing that I have trouble concentrating at times, but nothing too serious. I'm not sure if that's the Atripla though. I haven't had any rashes either and no vivid dreams. (I've noticed that I've been getting some serious morning wood though LOL and overall feeling quite hornier than usual. I've heard about the morning wood, but have any of you guys been feeling hornier?)

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“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

(I've noticed that I've been getting some serious morning wood though LOL and overall feeling quite hornier than usual. I've heard about the morning wood, but have any of you guys been feeling hornier?)

Ahh yes the Atripla boners. Most definately. I'm not sure why the makers of Atripla don't put it in big letters on their adverts. Warning: Atripla can cause boners and increases horny-ness.

Way more people would take it. Instead they focus on it causing dizzyness and everyone gets all scared about taking it.

Ok...everyone...first post...been positive since 91...my tcells dropped to 100 two weeks ago..the Doc says I had to start something.....so Atripla it is....day 10...dreams subsiding...dizziness also less than before..I got a coupla hellafied boners the first three days (and acted on 'em! Figured why waste it!)...my question...I work nights so I take my meds in the day...but what do I do on my two days off??? So far I am keeping the daytime regimen but I'm missing taking care of my business on my weekend....thanks for reading...good luck to everybody out there!!

1. After 5 days it makes little difference when you take Atripla as long as you take it every day (I note: for the vast majority of people). So a weekend change in time is feasible.

2. Strictly speaking the above is true of efavirenz, one of the 3 drugs in Atripla. If you split the combination into two parts, ie 2 pills, at the weekend you could take the non-trippy part, Truvada, in the day as you do in the week, and the efavirenz part at a more convenient tine.

(I've noticed that I've been getting some serious morning wood though LOL and overall feeling quite hornier than usual. I've heard about the morning wood, but have any of you guys been feeling hornier?)

Geez - I think I got most of the side effects early on, but still have not experienced this one - something I could actually use :-)

1. After 5 days it makes little difference when you take Atripla as long as you take it every day (I note: for the vast majority of people). So a weekend change in time is feasible.

2. Strictly speaking the above is true of efavirenz, one of the 3 drugs in Atripla. If you split the combination into two parts, ie 2 pills, at the weekend you could take the non-trippy part, Truvada, in the day as you do in the week, and the efavirenz part at a more convenient tine.

I'm still feeling good. I've noticed just a bit of concentration problems, a bit of feeling tired throughout the day. Nothing too serious though.

Also, over this past week, my right index finger has been twitching a bit. It's become a little annoying especially when I'm using my phone and my index finger makes an unexpected move. I'll be sure to mention this to my ARNP... have any of you guys been experiencing twitching?

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“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

I'm still feeling good. I've noticed just a bit of concentration problems, a bit of feeling tired throughout the day. Nothing too serious though.

Also, over this past week, my right index finger has been twitching a bit. It's become a little annoying especially when I'm using my phone and my index finger makes an unexpected move. I'll be sure to mention this to my ARNP... have any of you guys been experiencing twitching?

Hi DanMo, I've had some twiching in the nerc on my forehead about a month after starting on Atripla. I went away after a week. Hold on and don't worry, you will get used to everything and the side effects will be milder and milder with time. Nowadays I don't feel anything. Event the dizzyness is gone :-).

I had my results yeasterday and I a'm UD only 3 months on Atripla. Great results and I feel on my best since I was got +. It takes a while for the body and mind to adjust to the drug, once it does you'll hardly think about or feel any side effects.

Have a glass of wine in the evening and celebrate you great results to come.

Hi DanMo, I've had some twiching in the nerc on my forehead about a month after starting on Atripla. I went away after a week. Hold on and don't worry, you will get used to everything and the side effects will be milder and milder with time. Nowadays I don't feel anything. Event the dizzyness is gone :-).

I had my results yeasterday and I a'm UD only 3 months on Atripla. Great results and I feel on my best since I was got +. It takes a while for the body and mind to adjust to the drug, once it does you'll hardly think about or feel any side effects.

Have a glass of wine in the evening and celebrate you great results to come.

Cheers and good luck!

Hi hubsen! Thanks for sharing!

The twitching in my index finger has gone away. I mentioned it to one of the doctors at the clinic and he didn't seem to be very worried about it, especially now that it's subsided.

I don't know if you've seen, but I posted a topic in the Living forum: my first lab results after being on Atripla for a month. My CD4 is up to 699 and my VL went down to 1,938.

It's been almost a month since that blood sample was drawn and I could very well be UD by now or at least have a VL in the 10s.

Dan

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“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo